Opterus, the leading provider of cost-effective, cloud store communications and task management solutions to some of the world's largest retailers, has announced the winners of its 2025 Rebel With a Cause awards. The program was established by Opterus president and founder Janet Hawkins in honour of her late mother and sister.
Our Valerie Ann Arts Award winner chose not to appear in this article, so let's meet our STEM winner, Novera!
Studying biotech through an equity-focused lens
Novera is currently enrolled in the Master of Biotechnology (MBiotech) program at the University of Toronto Mississauga, specializing in the Biopharmaceuticals stream. Drawn to the complexities of therapeutic development and commercialization, she was equally motivated by her commitment to ensuring that science remains patient-centric and grounded in equity.
With a strong scientific foundation from her undergraduate studies, she saw MBiotech as the perfect place to merge her technical skills with her passion for understanding disparities in healthcare. The program's well-known second-year internship?at a leading pharmaceutical company?was an additional draw and a unique opportunity to work directly within the biotech industry.
Charting a bold path in reproductive health innovation
While still exploring which specific pharmaceutical role she'll pursue during her internship, Novera is passionate about designing inclusive clinical trials and elevating the human stories behind clinical data. She is particularly interested in therapeutics and startups focused on sexual and reproductive health?areas she believes are severely under-invested and often overlooked.
Her long-term goal is to build a medical device startup that addresses gaps in commonly used contraceptive technologies. For her, this mission is deeply personal and reflects her desire to innovate in a field where safety burdens have historically fallen disproportionately on women.
An application guided by authenticity
Novera discovered the Opterus Scholarships two years ago through a TikTok video, but despite the program's competitive reputation, she ultimately chose to apply?deciding based on a coin flip on the day of the deadline. Once she began writing, the application came naturally. Rather than shaping her responses around what she thought a committee wanted to hear, she focused on authenticity, sharing a story that only she could tell.
The unforgettable moment of winning
When she received a phone call from Janet Hawkins, CEO of Opterus, Novera describes feeling ?elated and shocked??complete with joyful screaming in the middle of campus. The recognition meant even more when she was invited to help review applications for the next Opterus cycle.
For her, the scholarship validated her journey: overcoming adversity, transforming lived experience into purpose-driven work, and advocating for equity in science.
What the scholarship makes possible
The award alleviates financial pressure, allowing Novera to fully immerse herself in coursework, industry events, and campus initiatives. More importantly, it affirms that individuals who have navigated significant challenges?such as gender-based violence?bring perspectives that can make STEM more just and human-centered.
She hopes her visibility encourages others with similar experiences to see their voices as sources of strength, leadership, and innovation rather than barriers.
Advice for future applicants
Novera's guidance is simple and powerful: take the shot. Even if you doubt your qualifications, apply anyway. Authentic storytelling can be one of the most compelling parts of any application. She also encourages applicants to keep their answers thematically consistent and to share experiences that genuinely matter to them?even if they feel small or unconventional.
Giving back and opening doors
To Novera, scholarships like Opterus do more than fund education?they shift who gets to participate, lead, and be recognized. She urges recipients to widen the pathway for others by:
1. Sharing their win publicly to raise awareness of opportunities.
2. Offering support and advice to prospective applicants.
3. Staying connected with the scholarship community to build meaningful, future-shaping relationships.
To learn more about the Opterus Scholarship or the MBiotech program at UTM, you can reach Novera on LinkedIn at @Novera Shenin.
About Opterus Inc.
To learn more about the Rebel with a Cause Awards, visit the Opterus website.
Opterus Inc. is a leading global provider of a cost-effective, easy-to-implement store information and execution management solution that increases productivity and improves retail enterprise communications. Opterus' OPSCENTER software is an on-demand, web-based retail portal designed to communicate corporate policy and day-to-day objectives between corporate office and store locations. Deployed in over 45 countries in 30 different languages, the solution is specifically designed for retail operations, and provides store personnel with clear, concise and timely direction, along with the proper tools to best do their jobs to support corporate initiatives. Opterus is based in Toronto, Ontario. For additional information, visit opterus.com.